Labor supply and automation innovation: Evidence from an allocation policy ☆

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Danzer, Alexander M.; Feuerbaum, Carsten; Gaessler, Fabian
• 署名单位: IZA Institute Labor Economics; University of London; University College London; Leibniz Association; Ifo Institut; Pompeu Fabra University; Pompeu Fabra University; Barcelona School of Economics
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF PUBLIC ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0047-2727
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpubeco.2024.105136
• 发表日期: 2024
• 关键词: automation; labor supply; INNOVATION; patents; Germany

摘要

Despite a longstanding interest in the potential substitution of labor and capital, limited empirical evidence exists regarding the causal relationship between labor supply and the development of labor-saving technologies. This study examines the impact of exogenous changes in regional labor supply on automation innovation by leveraging a German immigrant allocation policy during the 1990s and 2000s. The findings reveal that an increase in the low -skilled workforce reduces automation innovation, as measured by patents. This reduction is most pronounced for large firms within the manufacturing sector and primarily concerns process -related automation innovations. This suggests that the effect is channeled through changes in internal demand for automation innovation. Consistent with a labor scarcity mechanism, the effect is confined to tight labor markets.